Home Media Centre: What you need to know

Rather than talk about the different ways you can set up a media centre suitable for home use I thought I would just tell you how I have achieved it.

I implemented this around 1 year ago and it works flawlessly. If you require something that is simple to use and energy efficient then you are going to have to part with a bit of cash. 

The alternative is whack a media centre OS on your old PC/Laptop and install a decent graphics and sound card.

So my set up consists of:

• Synology DS210j NAS - storage
• Sony PlayStation 3 - transcoder
• Router (standard SKY) - connects storage & transcoder
• Panasonic Viera HD TV - display
• Cambridge-Audio Amplifier - sound

This is what it could look like (as a diagram)

A typical set up

Compatible

Ok so pretty simple, this network connects all of your devices - all the content is on the NAS can be shared and streamed amongst multiple devices. Depending on the brand of your NAS they might have iOS apps that make streaming music and photos easy.

PlayStation 3

This set up streams Blu-ray quality video files no problem. If you are streaming 6+GB MKV files then don't expect fast forwarding at 120x to work particularly well.

There is a caveat to this, your video files must be in encoded into a PS3 supported file format. It does recognise quite a few, but you may find yourself reverting to your PC and handbrake.

I keep hoping that Sony bring out a firmware update to rectify this, transcoding any video file with its 8 Core processor should be easy work.

Web Server

So the NAS has lots of functions, it is a very capable Linux web server - this allows you to work on your site from multiple computers.

Back up

DS210j

Its primary function is to act as the first in-line back up device for your connected computers. It does ship with Synology's own sync software, if you don't like it Microsoft do one along with loads more third-party applications.

My computer is backed up automatically each time I boot into windows over wireless (802.11g). Again works very well, don't notice it.

Sony NEX-5 Camera: Right choice for you?

Sony NEX-5

The NEX-5 is Sonys first attempt of creating a quality DSLR camera that is both compact yet offers versatility by supporting interchangeable lenses.


Try not to be fooled by what you might read about the quality of this camera. It is by no means inferior to similar priced 'full-sized' DSLR cameras, they all share very similar technical specifications and features.

Digital Viewfinder Only

Viewfinder
This is how Sony has managed to get this camera so compact, it is the difference between optical and digital viewfinders that allows manufacturers to significantly reduce the body size. 
Sony has managed this by losing the "mirrored/optical viewfinder" that allows you to see exactly what the lens is seeing before it is digital processed.
The NEX-5's viewfinder however is entirely digital and yes I would say this is a disadvantage. Personally I much prefer an optical viewfinder but unfortunately you cannot have advantages of both (just yet).


After conducting extensive research, reading copious blogs, comparing specifications and image quality I went with the NEX-5. Size is important to me, carrying around a large bag and having a heavy camera swinging around my neck is a bit of a burden to me. This camera is less obtrusive, this could allow you to take more time to get the shot you want. Even taking a photo one-handed is no problem due to its lightweight magnesium shell.


My partner really enjoys snapping away on the NEX, thanks to its light, versatile and simple ergonomics - there is no need to teach her how to hold it!
The camera supports a good user interface, easy to use functions but only accessible through the soft-keys menu system. The iAuto mode can give surprising results, automating each and every setting on the fly. I think the camera would benefit from some sort of scroll wheel on the body of the camera to flick between the many scene modes, just as other manufacturers have.


The Models
We have the NEX-5 (around £400) and the NEX-5N (around £650). 
The N version is much improved but it certainly doesn't warrant the £250 price tag, buy yourself a few extra lenses instead, Sony have just released a few more E-Mount lenses to its arsenal, there are 14 AF (auto-focus) compatible lenses to choose from at the moment.

Bags

KATA Grip-10 DL

You need a bag that is a as close as possible to your camera and equipment. You want it to fit snug, well padded and good quality shower proof bag to offer your hardware the best possible protection. My advice, don't jump in and take exactly what your retailer offers. Put some time into it and test it with your requirements in mind. 
I bought a KATA Grip-10 DL - fits perfect and costing £20 is an absolute bargain when you have to double the price for a Sony branded case..

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Content Management Systems (CMS)

That time has come where I need to update my personal website/portfolio. I built this site in 2006, ancient in the world of the web! No more does it conform to the new, developing web 2.0 world. The content is static; editing requires the use of web development packages, and then uploads to your web directory.
So, rather than building a new site, I turned to CMS, right now there is an abundance of tools and systems free to download, upload to your web server, point your browser to the install/config file and away you go..seamless..
I just Joomla, although installed and config'd wordpress as well.

I however, had a rather different experience and from two weeks of pulling my hair out I have decided to stick with a system that works..!
CMS is alright, if you pay for it...otherwise all you get are 100's of errors, nightmare to config'd due to the open platform, and when you finally get the system working, you learn all the restrictions - having to rely on the particular template to set your design layout.
You will not be far away from Google search, constantly copy and pasting error messages into the search field. The advantages (in a funny sort of way) are you can be guaranteed help from the community as everybody has had the same problems!!

Well, I got it working after one week and I am now back at the drawing board. Looks like I will be building my own site from scratch (again).

Come one, someone build a drag and drop software package (Google sites is almost there!)

There are plenty of resources already out there to make your site dynamic (Google API, Twitter, Facebook) so watch this space!!

Network attached storage NAS: Synology DS210j

Ok so over the years, like many unfortuate folks out there, I also have fallen victim to an HardDrive failure, frustrating to loose recent work and a pain in the ass to re-install windows/drivers and takes an age to figure out which 3rd party programmes you had installed.

Well, there has been a solution for years but only recently becoming an inexpensive option with the broadband revolution and bringing with it home private & wireless networks.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is basically a cut down computer containing a slab of ram and a fan to cool the circuit board and harddrive(s).
They plug into your router, and then talk to everything else attached to your network (wired or wirelessly)

There are a lot of NAS's out there on the market and depending on the functionality, expandability, security etc you require can pay anything from £60 to £1000.

I chose a mid-range specification "Synology DS210j" that offers fantastic user group management and priveledges, DNLA media server, FTP, Web server (7 servers in one)

So, performance, well, upsides, its a doddle to set up and you can easily waste a saturDAY fine tuning your NAS, learning on the way.
There are a few niggles though, the DNLA Media Server struggles with any complex transcoding...that means buying a stand-a-lone media player to attach to your TV (set you back around £50)
Apart from that, for a £160 it is fantastic!
I stupidly bought the Linkseys (Cisco) MediaHub NMH410 for £150...what a joke. No security what so ever, gives everyone on your network read/write access.
I was fooled and bought on reputation Cisco carry, it was sent back a day later!

Cooliris

I have undergone a significant amount of research recently with the much hyped program/tool named CoolIris. It has been around for a few years, i remember installing the Firefox extension plugin and regualary checked the plugin for popular photos when i hit times of boredom, and i have to say, it worked well!

CoolIris used to go by the name of PicLens and if you still want to embed a 3D photo gallery on your web site it still uses that branding.

I have shown more interest in the video library/platform they have and it is pretty good 'free' technology that can be used to lift media content off the page!

Basically, install a 2mb exe to your local machine, open the programme, point cooliris to your media files that can be read from almost any web server including Youtube, Flickr, Deviantart and let it pull them into an engaging 3D wall that eventually spits out some embedding code.
Stick that into your HTML page and there you have it! A cool 3D wall for your visitors to browse.
Or, so i understand..

I will keep this blog updated because i am still very much in the 'build' stage within the organisation and will have to undergo a bit of testing.

So far, so good and nice work!

Matt

I'm in!

Well, for most people who connect and read this blog will quickly learn that this blog is pretty much unimportant and pointless!
I have just (this minute) signed up to Blogger, my first blog, in hope that i will use this popular social media tool to perhaps speak out and have an input into the electronic world!

I had a moment today, and was inspired by a few blogs surrounding various web 2.0 tools out there available and thought what the hell, why not use a blog as a 21st century diary to log my 'thoughts' and collaborate them into one place!

Well, 'Hello World'

Laters,
Matt